Time to cessation of exclusive breastfeeding and associated factors among women with children aged 6–24 months in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania: A community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to six months is sub-optimal globally. Tanzania has surpassed the World Health Assembly (WHA) target of increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children below six months to at least 50% by the year 2025 the median age of cessation of EBF is only three months. Objective To determine the time to cessation of exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors among women with children aged 6–24 months in Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania. Methods This was a secondary analysis of data from a community-based cross-sectional study conducted between April 2016 and April 2017 in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania. In the parent study, a multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants and interviewed using a questionnaire. Data for 1291 mother-child pairs were analyzed using STATA version 15. Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test estimated and compared the survivor functions across covariate levels. Cox regression proportional hazards models estimated the hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors associated with time to cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. Results The prevalence of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding before six months was 68.7%, with a median age of cessation of four months (95% CI: 3, 4). In comparison to women living in Siha district, women living in Moshi Municipal (HR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.24, 2.09), Same (HR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.65) and Mwanga (HR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.20, 1.96) districts, had higher hazards of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding before six months. Women who received breastfeeding counselling at antenatal care had a lower hazard to cease EBF (HR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.65, 087) compared to those who did not receive breastfeeding counselling. Conclusion The median age of cessation of EBF is unsatisfactory but at least higher (four months) than the national level estimate of three months. District specific interventions and breastfeeding counselling at antenatal care are essential for improving time to cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. Promotion of adequate ANC visits remains one of the critical interventions to improve BF practices and other reproductive health outcomes.

Factors Associated with Time to Cease Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Infants Aged 6–9 Months, Kirkos Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Survival Analysis

“…38 The rate of early EBF discontinuation was 45.8%, which was higher than the studies revealed from southern Ethiopia 30.4%, 39 northwest Ethiopia 21.5%, 40 northeastern pastoralist parts of Ethiopia 35.5%, 12 Addis Ababa 42.4%, 41 mini Ethiopian demographic health survey 41%, 10 Taiwan 40.1%, 42 Kinshasa 2.8%, 35 India 22.85%, 43 Indonesia 21.3%, 33 and Kenya 2%. 44 This finding was lower than the study revealed from southern Ethiopia 48%, 45 Dukem Central Ethiopia 75.7%, 46 Nepal 50.5%, 47 Tanzania 68.7%, 48 Saudi 60%, 49 and Australia 49%. 34 This discrepancy may be explained by sample size, study area, study period, study design, study unit, and the mother's workload in the city, as women in big cities were more likely to be employed or involved in other jobs that allow them to spend a lot of time outside the home.…”

The effect of providing Koya Nate on the appetite of stunting toddlers

“…33 Since the impact of Koya Nate is not immediate but requires an extended period, it is essential to propagate and sustain the influence of providing Koya Nate to toddlers over an extended duration. 34 There are several limitations in the data collection method for the intervention group providing Koya Nate. First, researchers encountered difficulty in directly monitoring the provision of Koya Nate during toddlers' dinner time.…”

Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Associated Factors among Mothers Having Infants (Aged 0-6 Months) in the Pastoral Community of Sawena District, Bale Zone Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023

“…The National Strategy on Infant and Young Child Nutrition, National Nutrition Program I and II, has been developed by the Government of Ethiopia to promote and improve the practice of exclusive breastfeeding during the rst six months of life in collaboration with various stakeholders [12]. In addition, nongovernmental organizations are also addressing the issue of optimal breastfeeding in different parts of the country through advocacy, community mobilization and the press [13].…”